Hold onto your seats, fight fans, because the boxing world has just been flipped on its head! Oleksandr Usyk, the undisputed heavyweight champion, is set to face Rico Verhoeven, the 'King of Kickboxing,' in a matchup that no one saw coming. But here's where it gets even more intriguing: newly unearthed footage reveals that Verhoeven once sparred with none other than Tyson Fury, just as Fury was gearing up for his historic showdown with Wladimir Klitschko. This isn’t just a footnote in boxing history—it’s a glimpse into how Verhoeven might fare against the elite of the sport. And this is the part most people miss: Verhoeven, a kickboxing legend, is stepping into the boxing ring for only his second professional fight, and his first in over a decade. Can a kickboxer truly challenge a unified heavyweight champion?
Sky Sports has uncovered this never-before-seen footage of Verhoeven and Fury in the ring together, offering a rare look at how Verhoeven handled himself against one of boxing’s giants. At the time, Fury was preparing for the fight that would catapult him to stardom—his 2015 battle with Klitschko, the long-reigning heavyweight kingpin. Fury’s victory in that bout not only dethroned Klitschko but also cemented Fury’s legacy as one of the sport’s greatest. To get ready, Fury brought in Verhoeven, already the undisputed heavyweight kickboxing champion, to test his skills against a different style of fighter.
Verhoeven’s kickboxing dominance is unparalleled. He held the Glory promotion’s heavyweight title for years, only vacating it last year. Now, he’s making the leap to boxing, but the question remains: Can a kickboxer’s skills translate to the ‘sweet science’ of boxing? Verhoeven’s sparring sessions with both Tyson and Hughie Fury—two very different fighters—would have given him valuable insights into boxing’s footwork, jabbing, and rhythm. But Usyk is no ordinary opponent. The Ukrainian champion is a perfectionist in the ring, with an amateur career that includes European, World, and Olympic gold medals, and an undefeated professional record that includes undisputed titles at cruiserweight and heavyweight.
But here’s the controversial part: Is Verhoeven being thrown to the wolves, or does he have a real shot at pulling off the unthinkable? Peter Fury, Tyson’s uncle and longtime coach, has worked with Verhoeven for years and believes in his potential. ‘Rico’s a true fighting man,’ Peter once said. ‘He’s disciplined, he’s got heart, and he pushes himself to the limit. That’s what it takes to succeed.’ Verhoeven himself credits Peter Fury for refining his boxing skills, particularly his jab, which he admits was ‘so bad’ when he first started. ‘Boxing is more light, more about touching up and moving,’ Verhoeven explained. ‘That’s what I’ve tried to bring into my kickboxing game, and it’s why I’m champion.’
So, what do you think? Is Verhoeven’s boxing debut against Usyk a recipe for disaster, or could he shock the world? Let us know in the comments below. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to check out the latest boxing schedule for 2026, stream fights contract-free with NOW, or listen to the Toe2Toe podcast for more insights into this wild world of boxing. The ring is set—now it’s time to see who’ll be left standing.
